Tuesday, February 24, 2015

I was not planning to buy anything from Suqqu during my Japan trip but not it seemed almost sacrilegious not to get anything. I was not interested in getting any of the eye shadow palettes or lipsticks since I was at the physical counter I might as well get myself shade matched and get their much raved about foundation to try. There are 5 types to choose from. The powder foundations (Frame Fix Lasting Foundation N and Dual Effect Powder Foundation), liquid foundation (Frame Fix Liquid Foundation N) and cream foundations (Frame Fix Cream Foundation N and Foundation). I did my homework. I read Bellyhead of Wondegondigo's review of the Frame Fix Cream Foundation and Linda of Silver Kis' World's review of the Frame Fix Liquid Foundation N. I really wanted to try the liquid version but after Linda's review I was quite hesitant. So I decided to try the cream version instead.

I was quite worried that I would not be able to find a match for my skin tone. There are altogether 6 shades available and I was matched to the darkest shade 203.

I have stayed away from cream foundations because I always have this notion that they would be heavy and thick. This is not the case. I use about 3/4 of a pea size amount as compared to the two pea size amount recommended on the website. It takes a little time for me to adjust the amount so that I get the coverage I want.

Application is a little tricky. I experimented with my different primers before finally settling on my ORBIS Sunscreen on Face Beauty Light or my new found love Kiss Matt Chiffon UV Whitening Base N in 02 (my new found love, thank you KS!!! I will review it soon). I found that silicon type primers did not work well with this foundation. I also experimented with the type of brush I used. My favourite would be the Shiseido budget makeup brush I bought during my Japan trip. It is gosh darn awesome. I dab the foundation in sections and apply with a dabbing motion.

The first few times of wear was not very impressive but after finding the right base, the right tool and the right setting powder (Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation) it was a wow for me.

Compared to my other foundations, this one provides the most coverage so I have to be careful how much I apply. I have many acne scars around my cheek area and this covers it without being mask-like. It is brightening without making me look white. However, after 4 hours a little shine does break through around my nose area and forehead.

With just Suqqu Frame Fix Foundation on my face

With the whole works

I love this foundation and I have been wearing this everyday for work for that polished look.

At 9504 yen, it is a mighty pricey foundation so it might not be something you want to order online if you don't know which shade will match you. It is tricky to apply but if you can find the right combination, it is worth the experimentation. It is marketed as a foundation that locks in moisture so for oily skinned people out there, it might not be one that you will find suitable.

It comes in a glass tub so isn't travel friendly. There is a plastic cap that covers the foundation, the tub that gets a little gunky around the edges after sometime so I have to clean it often. I can live with it.

It takes more time to apply so isn't something I can quickly slap and go. The extra seconds it takes to scoop out the right amount of foundation, then placing the plastic cap back onto the tub, cleaning the scoop then applying can add up when I am in a rush.

That being said, I am so glad I visited the counter and bought this, it is worth every hassle. This is one foundation I will keep going back to.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

When I headed for the Three counter at Shinjuku Isetan last December, the only things on my mind were the Flash Performance pencils. From the website (yup I did research before going to the counter) I did not see any eye shadows that really interested me.

While waiting for my turn to be served, the Star Guitar palette caught my eye (that plum!), the swatch of that plum beckoned me. The rest of the colours did not really appealed to me because to me, they looked just too cool toned. The plum persuaded me to stop thinking and just get it, which I did. Heh! I am glad I listened to that plum, what an interesting palette it is for me.

The casing of Three's 4D Eye Palettes are functional. I won't call it luxurious but it serves its purpose. It is nothing to crow about but it is sturdy which is all I can ask for. That little dual ended brush is quite good actually. I love the little nubbly brush end so cute yet useful.

The shadows are to be honest on the sheerer side as compared to the Addiction shadows I bought recently. Like all typical Japanese brand eye shadows, there is always a sparkly eye shadow included. I don't mind that at all. You know what, the colours just go so well together. And even though the shades are a tad sheerer than what I use, I don't mind. It shows up on my lids perfectly.

Here is how I used my Star Guitar palette.

First I applied a thin layer of my favourite eye primer, NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, then with my finger I blended the plum shade all over my lids close to the lash line.

Next I applied the pinky beige shade on my lids, blending in with the plum. I used the lightest shade on my brow bones.

I tapped the sparkly shade on the middle of my lids for a little shine. Finally topped it off with black eyeliner and some falsies.

What an unexpected find! This isn't my normal cup of tea because I tend to gravitate towards warmer tones. Star Guitar was surprisingly well suited for my skin tone and I am amazed by the blendability of the shades. The cream plum shade did not smudge or crease on me throughout its wear time. The shadows were soft and finely milled. I did not experience any fallout from the sparkly shade too. What is there not to love?

I read that the cream shade will eventually dry out but there are ways to get it to ti top condition Here is an ingenious way by Bellyhead from Wondegondigo. I hope I won't need to use this method anytime too soon.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentines everyone! I'm trying to work up the courage to wear this top for my pole class today since it is after all Valentines Day, let's see how that goes. Anyway I thought it would be a good idea to get Princess Precious to pose as a model. She had other ideas.

Never give your kitteh lacey things! They have an innate urge to destroy.

May your Valentines Day be filled with puppy dog kisses and kitteh cuddles.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Here is the second Tom Ford Lips and Boys in my collection. Michael. Michael is a bright coral pink. It is a kind of colour which I find a tad difficult to wear. I can't just slap it on. Because of my skin tone, I find that I need to be properly made up before I look good with this shade.

It is supposed to be a frost finish but not to me. I feel that it has a satin finish with shimmers. Like Francesco, it is creamy and opaque in one swipe. I do have to prep my lips with lip balm before applying it. It is not the most moisturizing lip stick but it does not dry my lips out.

Monday, February 9, 2015

I basically own every kind of Addiction blush formulation! I have the Cheek Sticks and Cheek Polishes and finally to top it off, the powdered blushes.

I had my heart set on getting Amazing because I think I lack a bright pop of pink blush in my collection. I was so disappointed when I discovered that Amazing was out of stock. So my first purchases were Romantic and African Sunset. But on my second trip there, I tried my luck by asking about Amazing, and they had it. I was thrilled.

Left to right: African Sunset, Romantic and Amazing

African Sunset and Romantic have a shimmery finish whereas Amazing is a matte shade. Let's talk about their pigmentation. I think these have the perfect pigmentation. Not too much, just enough to show up on your cheeks naturally. Any noob can wear these blushes. They are finely milled and blend well. They also stay put for about 4 to 5 hours. I haven't had the need to reapply these at all.

Amazing looks quite scary in the pan but isn't. It is a bright pop of cool pink. It has enough translucency to allow for your natural skintone to come through and yet show up on my cheeks. I wear my fotds out so I don't pile on my blushes. I hope you will be able to see the colour on my cheeks.

Amazing on my cheeks

Addiction shimmery blushes are one of the nicest! It imparts a lovely subtle glow without making you look like an oil slick. The shimmers are very fine. Romantic is a pretty baby pink shade that shows up on me.

I am loving these blushes. Soft and finely milled, they are of medium pigmentation which makes them very easy to apply and use. They blend well and last fairly long.

Addiction blushes come in their own black plastic casing. They are very easy to depot. Everytime I buy their compacts, I have a tendency to want to fill them all up which is the case here. I bought Compact Case II which can fill up to three blushes. There are so many pretty colours that it isn't too difficult to choose. The problem is limiting yourself to three.